The conclusion is evident: the Epeira's glue is a substance that absorbs moisture freely.

In an atmosphere with a high degree of humidity, it becomes saturated and percolates by sweating through the side of the tubular threads.
These data explain certain facts relating to the work of the net.

The Epeirae weave at very early hours, long before dawn.

Should the air turn misty, they sometimes leave that part of the task unfinished: they build the general framework, they lay the spokes, they even draw the auxiliary spiral, for all these parts are unaffected by excess of moisture; but they are very careful not to work at the lime-threads, which, if soaked by the fog, would dissolve into sticky shreds and lose their efficacy by being wetted.

The net that was started will be finished to-morrow, if the atmosphere be favourable.
While the highly-absorbent character of the snaring-thread has its drawbacks, it also has compensating advantages.